Thunder finds itself without safety net in goal

STOCKTON - The closest thing the Thunder had to a goaltender at Thursday's practice was a large piece of blue canvas with a picture of a goalie on it and a few strategically placed holes.

Scott Linesburgh

STOCKTON - The closest thing the Thunder had to a goaltender at Thursday's practice was a large piece of blue canvas with a picture of a goalie on it and a few strategically placed holes.

But the team needs human beings for the real games, and Stockton coach Chris Cichocki is busily working to fix his sudden problems in the net.

With Glenn Fisher on his way to the American Hockey League and Tim Boron sick with the flu, the Thunder is looking for help as it prepares to take on the Idaho Steelheads at 7:30 p.m. today at Stockton Arena.

Boron, who left Wednesday's 7-6 loss to Victoria after the first period, is scheduled to start the game, no matter how he feels.

"He has to play," Cichocki said. "You know Tim will rest and do everything to get ready. He knows we need him, and he should be better."

Boron will be backed up by emergency goalie Ryan Nakken of Sacramento as the Thunder attempts to snap a five-game losing streak and move toward qualifying for the playoffs, but that's a temporary solution. Cichocki and director of scouting Blair Nicholson spent Thursday looking for a free-agent goalie or recently graduated college senior to sign just in case Fisher is gone for a while.

So without a goalie at practice, the Thunder set up the "shooter tutor" for the final 20 minutes. The canvas target hooks on to the goal and allowed the players to shoot at certain spots.

Fisher was promoted Wednesday night because of another injury in the Edmonton Oilers' organization. Oilers goalie Mathieu Garon is out with a sore ankle, and Edmonton called up Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers to backup Dwayne Roloson. Fisher was sent to Springfield to join Devan Dubnyk, who played for Stockton last year.

Cichocki and Nicholson said they had some prospects lined up, and one of the prerequisites was that they are United States citizens.

"Frankly, we don't have time to deal with players coming through immigration," Cichocki said. "We've had players delayed before, and we can't afford that."

Amateur players have to report by April 2 to be eligible for the playoffs. Those with pro experience have to play five regular-season games to qualify.

Defenseman Mark Adamek said no matter who is in the net, the Thunder has to gain points. It is tied with the Phoenix and Bakersfield with 53 points in the race for the final two ECHL National Conference playoff spots.

"We're in a tough situation and been dealt a few bad breaks, but we just have to find a way to win," Adamek said. "We're professionals, and we get paid for this. We have to handle it."

Schwartz said he expects a more defensive battle against the Steelheads (37-22-9), who swept Stockton in a three-game series last week in Idaho.

"We go from a run-and-gun team like Victoria to Idaho, which is a gritty defensive team," Schwartz. "This is likely to be a much different game."

Thunder officials said less than 800 tickets remain for Saturday's 7:30 p.m. home finale against Victoria. A crowd in excess of 7,000 is expected tonight.